Next Season’s Team

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I always like the idea of a 23 man (two players for each position plus one young striker) squad including or excluding youth players depending a clubs level. Second guessing Paul Tisdale is kind of like calling the side of a coin instead of head or tails, it pretty much can’t be done. So obviously I’m going to give it a go.

Exeter City are built and set-up these days to allow youth players to come through the ranks or sign for us from bigger clubs to build their own careers and when the time is right and the right deal is on the table we will not stand in their way. Since Tisdale has taken over he has developed the inherited talents of George Friend, Dean Moxey, Jamie, Mackie and Danny Seabourne and bringing in a six figure sum for each. He signed Harley and has allowed him to move on a free because it was the right thing for this football club in his eyes (for the record I agree especially with the Bauza signing). Therefore the 22 man squad ideal will include some developed youth players and have some of the younger one in addition.

The signing of Bauza as a direct replacement for Harley, or so we’re led to believe and they even have the same song, suggests to me that we will be looking to blend between a 4-4-2 diamond with Bauza at the point and playing as more of a deep-lying striker in the role of Stewart, Basham, Russell and Cozic at the end of the League 2 season when we were playing a 3-4-1-2. Of course the 3-4-1-2 led us to promotion and i wouldn’t it past Tisdale to dust that one-off. The change tactic is likely to be the now well versed 4-3-3.

My guess is that the standard formation will be 4-4-2 diamond

STL——STR

AMC/FC

MLC ——MRC

DMC

LB—DCL—DCR—RB

GK

With a switch to 4-3-3 during games and for when deemed necessary.

FC

STL                       STR

MLC—MRC

DMC

LB—DCL—DCR—RB

GK

The alternative might be a return to the Lague Two formation that saw us be so successful of 3-4-1-2

STL——-STR

AMC/FC

LM—MLC—-MRC—RM

DCL–DC–DCR

GK

Strikers: Depending on Cureton and Nardiello signing contracts which is looking increasingly likely are front line is very good and well-balanced with each player offering something different. If Cureton and/or Nardiello go we will need to replace them. We have been linked with Yeovil’s Dean Bowditch but that seems increasingly unlikely. We also have Nichols pressing to make an impact.

Midfield: As long as Nobes signs on our starting 4 look very good and combine creativity, technique and goal scoring threat with a solid defensive unit that can press tackle and contain. The problem we have is that with Stewart (AMC/ST), Edwards (DC/DMC) and Bertie (MC/AMC) all retiring and Jake Thompson (winger) all leaving are midfield is low on cover. We do have a number of youth prospects but it would be unfair to expect any of them to bear any real responsibility next season. I therefore think we could do with signing

1) A holding player (Matt Gill would be ideal if Norwich felt like releasing him or loaning him to us)  as that would be a different option to Dunne’s pressure and tough tackling DM style but can also in the case of Gill or someone similar play a dynamic role a little further forward too.

2) Another attacking midfielder perhaps Scott Davies who is also versatile and can move in the central and wide areas if needed from what I have heard.

In Defence it is a similar story a strong front line back 4. However, I feel we need (assuming captain Matt Taylor does indeed move on and find another club),

3) An experienced centre-back would be very handy in the Edwards mould perhaps coming to the end of their career and not desperate to play every game maybe even another who wishes to develop their coaching skills. I don’t have anyone in mind but the alternative is that the younger players Keane and Bennett make what seems like an unlikly step up over the summer.

4) A young right back is a must to be understudy to Tully. Tully has been awesome but we can’t rely on him being ever-present as he get older we need someone to be able to cover for him and take the chance to add completion when it arises. I heard a rumour on exeweb about Smith on loan at Bournemouth he would be an excellent signing. Someone else mentioned Danny Woodards who in my opinion was the most overrated player we have ever had.

Goalkeeper: We only have Artur at the moment so we need to sign someone.

5) Either Ben Hamar or someone equivalent who will be an undisputed first choice or if Tisdale feels Artur is ready then to give full support to Artur and bring in a young probably teenage goalkeeper to develop or on a season long loan.

STL/STR

Jamie Cureton (contract pending): If Jamie signs I’ll be very happy a true poacher.

Daniel Nardiello (contract pending): Danny managed to score enough goals in his short time on the pitch to prove he has the quality I still feel he’s a bit rough round the edges and could look up more but was much improved towards the end of season.

 

Richard Logan: Logie provides a bit of character and strength up front but is also technically pretty good at this level. Needs to fitten up again but the mans a legend.

John O’Flynn: Tireless running and a great finisher given the opportunity I think this will be his year as he gets more chances playing in a genuine strike partnership rather than out wide.

Tom Nichols (youngster): Had a run out at Wednesday on the last day and I have heard good things so hopefully he can get a run out or two to help his development.

AMC/FC

Guillaume Bauza: Swansea fans are full of praise for a player who is more of a forward with a few tricks and a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Could push forward if needed as cover as well.

I could put Liam here but think he will play more an engine role slightly deeper next season. Instead I expect to see a new signing possibly Scott Davies who we have been linked with but also I think this is the make or break season for young pint-sized Chris Shepherd. I was very impressed with his ability on the ball in last seasons pre-season and was disappointed not to see him get some run outs this season. The question mark is simply over whether he can cope with the physical side. Playing at the point of a diamond might help him in that area.

MLC

David Noble: (contract pending) given what we have done for him and his career and that he is now likely to be promoted to captain I don;t doubt he will sign on probably for two seasons. Absolute quality at the end of the season and I can only think what might have happened had we stuck to 442 and Noble had been for the game at Tranmere he is also an asset defensively as he is a very clever tackler and surprisingly strong. Next season will be his! He can also become primary set-piece taker after some awesome deliveries thie season from deep and where Harley was not sniffing at goal.

Aaron Dawson (youngster): probably not ready yet but another who sounds promising.

MRC

Liam Sercombe: Liam has been awesome his tireless running earns us much. It always good to see a city supporter coming through and I think there are signs his incisive passing play is improving and he his learning when to shoot. I would also like to see Liam assume corner taking responsibility as I like his drilled crosses.

Elliott Frear (youngster): Frear has been highly talked about for a while and might get a couple of run outs but again is probably not ready to bear the burden of a genuine squad player.

DMC

James Dunne: Absolute terrier off the ball gives the defence so much support.  A fantastic goal against Argyle showed what he has on the locker going forward as well. However, at times his possession play can be sloppy I think it might be down to tiredness as he is still young and playing a lot. Hopefully this will be less of a problem as he develops more.

Duffy can play here but will be more important as centre-back next season I think.

LB

Scott Golbourne: I have been very disappointed with the lack of progress Scotty had been making this season after getting a bit big for his boots over the contract last season from what I could make of it. However, once we switched to the back four without Taylor he really came into his own and was able to focus more on interplay than on getting down the wing and fluffing crosses. And finished very strongly.

Billy Jones: Not most people’s cup of tea it has to be said but he has had to deal with being moved between LCB LB and CB and has found it hard to build a rhythm. he was Orient captain at this level a few years back after leaving us the first time. I think as cover for Scotty he will prove himself good enough next season although probably not a starter.

DCL/DCR

Troy Archibald-Henville: Has come on  lot this season. Troy has always been physically suited to his role and his tackling is superb. He is reading the game better and the end of season run saw him build a watertight partnership with Duffy and on-loan gaol keeper Ben Hamar in a back four. He does need to get his distribution under control but is showing signs of developing into a truly quality player.

Richard Duffy: Excellent with or without the ball has been one of our best performers over the last two years in my opinion and is versatile along the back or even holding midfield roles and again the partnership with Troy was immense at the end of the season, a little like the Terry/Carvalho partnership under Mourhino.

Kallum Keane: (youngster) The 19-year-old signed during the season is yet to play but the fact that he has been offered a deal is promising.

Scott Bennett: (youngster) Like Shepherd this make be Scotts make or break season as a product of our youth system.

Jack Furzer: (youngster): What I saw last pre-season was promising he looked like an excellent prospect but still a couple of years off at that stage maybe the season after next.

RB

Steve Tully: Tully has improved year-on-year since signing for us. This has been by far his best season and has only had one bad game that I have seen even when we were performing badly Tully was Mr Consistency and has not let us down. Never the most gifted going forward he makes up for it by being a leader on the pitch and redoubling his effort and persistence. My most improved player of the season.

We need cover as Duffy filling in would not be a good idea.

GK

Artur Krysiak: Artur has had some good games this season and some not so good. I think Tisdale needs to make the decision to trust Artur and give him a long long run in the side, after all Jones got enough seasons. However with Armstrong-Ford and Paul Jones on the way out I think the sensible option is for Artur to be no.2. he is young and has bags of potential but I think we need a stand out first choice keeper to really improve on this season.

Ben Hamar (possible signing): Ben came on loan for three months from Reading and was absolutely awesome for us once he settled in. He is currently looking for a championship contract. I however don’t think he is ready for that level and am hoping given are reputation for developement the reception he received from the fans and opportunity of guaranteed first choice football he might eventually elect to resign with City.

Alternative formations.

4-3-3

The only differences are in the middle and with the signings above we could easily adapt to this.

3-4-1-2

The defence would restructure Tully would have to tuck in and Golborne go forward but that should work nicely. Liam Sercombe or Davies (or similar signing can fill in at the right midfield).

I will also say that i don;t think we should play with wingers next season and we should not count them as a priority. Obviously if the right one becomes available then great but at the end of this season we were building a formidable style that was well-balanced and successful and I think we should continue on this path with David Noble as lynch pin and captain.